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09 December 2012

Why Hackbright > Learning Code on Your Own

Why going against your better instincts and quitting your job and paying a lot of money while living in one freaking expensive city to spend 40+ hours a week at Hackbright is greater than learning coding on your own (or at least the 26 reasons I've come up with so far):

I survived!

Networking opportunities are provided for you.

While you're busy learning, networking is being done for you.

You get to visit companies you'd probably never see the inside of otherwise.

You get professionals' views of companies so you have a better idea of where to work and where not to work.

You're part of a feminist movement to balance the tech industry (women make up about 9-12% of the industry right now).

You have a schedule to stick to.

Knowing that everyone else is expecting you to be there motivates you.

It's a huge investment initially, but with your new skills, you can pay it off quickly.

The other students provide a support and networking group that continues even after the program.

Since the program is for women only, you get to hash out your feelings about learning and your projects every day. :)

Pair programming motivates you to keep up.

When you have a question, you can pick the brains of the instructors (I used to work on a tutorial until I got unstickably stuck, and then I would move on to get stuck on another tutorial).

Potential employers and connections are impressed upon hearing what you've accomplished in such a short time.

You find out about a zillion resources that you otherwise wouldn't know about.

You're given up-to-date coursework written by your instructors, meaning they know it inside and out.

You're provided a mentor who can help you with your individual project and learning.

All the computer supplies you need are there for you.

You get to sit at cool S-shaped desks that Christian built expressly for pair programming.

Interview practice is part of the program.

There is a career day where you can get to companies and they can get to know you in 7-minute speed dating sessions.

If you end up working at one of the sponsoring companies, some of your tuition is reimbursed!

You're able to meet many women who have gone far as programmers, as well as those who are just beginning and get their advice.